This form of ‘Exodus’ is just spiritual abuse
Dr. Daniel Snyder wrote a wonderful article on The Asheville Citizen Times. Here are a few excerpts:
Exodus is an inspiring story and has been used in countless sermons and spiritual writings. It is the founding narrative not only for Jews and Christians, but its underlying archetypal image is found in nearly all religious traditions. I find it, therefore, deeply disturbing that The Exodus, of all narratives, would be used to describe a conference being held the week of July 15 at Ridgecrest, the Southern Baptist regional conference center near Black Mountain. Exodus International is an organization for people who presume to “heal” homosexuality. What I find particularly distressing, in addition to the obvious homophobia, is the desecration of a foundational narrative of a religious tradition I cherish. It is a sacrilege.
Heal the homophobia
I have read the Exodus International Web site and considered your arguments; now I would invite you to consider the possibility that God might be calling you to an Exodus out of homophobia. I would invite you to hear the prophetic voice that is rising up in our gay and lesbian communities, telling us that homophobia is a fear that God seeks to heal, indeed that God has already healed it in a growing number of congregations.
full article
Exodus is an inspiring story and has been used in countless sermons and spiritual writings. It is the founding narrative not only for Jews and Christians, but its underlying archetypal image is found in nearly all religious traditions. I find it, therefore, deeply disturbing that The Exodus, of all narratives, would be used to describe a conference being held the week of July 15 at Ridgecrest, the Southern Baptist regional conference center near Black Mountain. Exodus International is an organization for people who presume to “heal” homosexuality. What I find particularly distressing, in addition to the obvious homophobia, is the desecration of a foundational narrative of a religious tradition I cherish. It is a sacrilege.
Heal the homophobia
I have read the Exodus International Web site and considered your arguments; now I would invite you to consider the possibility that God might be calling you to an Exodus out of homophobia. I would invite you to hear the prophetic voice that is rising up in our gay and lesbian communities, telling us that homophobia is a fear that God seeks to heal, indeed that God has already healed it in a growing number of congregations.
full article
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